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Comment by bsder | Hacker News Reader

1) I really wouldn't quote James Hetfield as a bastion of "tolerance", thanks.

2) Lots of old Metallica metal fans will regale you at length about how Metallica sold out to Redneck America(tm) in return for lots and lots of cash. So, lots of this kind of stuff is suspect as to whether it is genuine vs planned marketing.

3) "But showing up with a deer on the bumper doesn't fly in Marin County."

Erm, actually James I know quite a few people in Marin that are totally fine with a deer on the hood. Somehow I never saw you hanging out with any of us.

But, then, none of us are multimillionaires who are worthy of running around in Mr. Hetfield's social circles.

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Just passing along a quote that I heard, nothing more.

As for your first point, he's put up with Lars Ulrich for almost 40 years now. If that's not tolerance I don't know what is.

For point 2, decrying a large portion of the country as "Redneck America(tm)" sounds like the exact type of thing Hetfield is talking about, the same as your dismissive "thanks" at the end of point 1. They sold out with the black album in 91 anyway, there was nothing "redneck" about that album.

> For point 2, decrying a large portion of the country as "Redneck America(tm)" sounds like the exact type of thing Hetfield is talking about

This comes from the fan reaction directly to "Load", specifically. A GREAT deal of Metallica's then-current fanbase was incredibly pissed off.

Metallica, I am sure, cried all the way to the bank. I am reminded of Neal Schon from Journey (paraphrased): "Everybody says we sold out. We played prog rock for how long and where did it get us? We write a couple pop ballads and suddenly we're drowning in money and swimming in women. Did we sell out? Damn straight we did and I have nothing to apologize for."

And maybe James Hetfield really believes what he is saying, and maybe he doesn't. For the amount of money he gets paid, you could get me to say quite lot--some of which I might even believe after a while.

Maybe I'm overly cynical, but the successful people in the music business all understand that they are in the business, first, of making music, second. So, I'm going to regard any "public persona" through the lens of being a carefully crafted marketing construct.

Regarding #2, I don't know who the 'Lots' are you are referring to, but I do know people who were OG Friends of Metallica, as in they were at the Metallica Mansion when Cliff Burton auditioned and full circle, invited to join the band when they were inducted into the RRHoF. Your poor mouthing is at odds with the experiences of people who actually know the members of Metallica (well, except for Lars) have always been super down to earth and remain committed to making great metal music for their fans. Personally, I prefer the old stuff, but I don't condescend to the 'Redneck America' sellout bs. You should try not to as well.

maybe that's his point, that even wealthy social circles outside of the bay area are more accepting of things like hunting.

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